Investigating the Current Status and Reasons forUsing Small-Scale Rooftop Solar Power Plants: Asustainable urban development approach

Scalability is one of the strategic features of photovoltaic solar systems that has made itpossible to always consider solar energy as a solution in various challenges. Photovoltaicsolar systems connected to the national electricity grid can be divided into three maincategories based on their scale: large scale (power plant), medium scale(commercial/industrial) and small scale (household/residential). This paper, whilereviewing the latest situation of solar energy in Iran and all around the world, examinedthe main benefits of using and developing rooftop solar systems (small and mediumscales) in Iran. In addition, it investigated the review and classification of recent solarstudies. Authors of the present paper hope that the results can be used by energy decisionmakersas an incentive and instruction for development of using the rooftop solar powerplants in Iran.